More than 1,200 litres of non-PCB transformer mineral oil were spilled after an incident Feb. 15, some of which went into a fish-bearing creek along Riverside Road.
Around 2 a.m. Saturday, residents in the area heard a loud bang and later that day found a BC Hydro transformer box had been hit and taken off its footing on Manufacturers Way at Riverside Road.
Abbotsford Police Const. Paul Walker said a semi truck had appeared to have done a u-turn and hit the transformer, along with a tree.
A fuel tank on the rig ruptured, spilling diesel along Manufacturers Way and into Czeliga Brook.
According to the B.C. Ministry of Environment, about half the oil was recovered from the transformer junction box, a catch basic and an area of the waterway. Absorbent pads are in place to collect the product, said a Ministry press release, while booms remain in the ditch and waterway to collect oil.
BC Hydro contacted another company, Quantum Murray, to clean up the spill.
Damage to the transformer box is estimated at tens of thousands of dollars, along with the cost of city crews who were called out to sand the road.
Police are asking the public to report if they see a semi truck that is badly damaged. Call 604-859-5225.
